One of the best things about a beat machine is that it allows you to create beats and loops on the go, which is all you might need to create the kind of music that makes heads bob!
However, with the wide range of options that the market offers, finding the right one for hip hop music can be quite difficult, and that’s where this article hops in for the help!
In today’s article, we’ll walk you through a brief guide with everything you need to know so you can pick the best beat machine for hip hop on the market. So without further ado, let’s dive right in!
| Image | Product | Feature | Price |
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TOP Pick
 
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Akai Professional MPD226
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It’s a pressure-sensitive beat machine that comes with built-in software and a lot of great features! Highly recommend! | Check Price |
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Trending
 
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Korg Volca Beats
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One of the best beginner synthesizer analog beat machine built by the well known brand Korg in a very affordable price! | Check Price |
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Trending
 
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Akai Professional MPC One
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A multi-touch display sampler beat machine, the latest generation on the MPC series, like the legendary OG MPC 1000 but so much more to it! | Check Price |
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Trending
 
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Native Instruments Maschine Mikro MK3
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A beat machine with powerful built in software, it contains 8GB worth of samples too. | Check Price |
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Trending
 
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Roland Rhythm TR-08
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If you are looking for a premium beat machine to connect several output sources and have many separate outputs for the audio, the TR-08 could be the best option for you. | Check Price |
Our Recommendation of Best Beat Machine for Hip Hop
Here’s a quick look at the top 5 beat and drum machines for hip hop that you can find on the market:
1. Akai Professional MPD226 Controller Beat Machine
What We Like
- Excellent value for money
- Pressure-sensitive RGB light system
- Expandable up to 64 pads for professional use
What We Don’t Like
- May double trigger with heavy strokes
Starting with one of the most popular options on the market that have gained a lot of recognition due to its excellent features while staying within a reasonable price range.
The MPD226 controller machine comes with a wide range of assignable controls that support up to 36, consisting of faders, Q-link knobs, and Q-link buttons.
Additionally, the beat machine is illuminated with RGB lights that are pressure-sensitive for added aesthetics.
The MPD226 also comes with built-in software that is packed with tons of features that add a lot of value to the product!
2. Korg Volca Beats Synthesizer Analog Beat Machine
What We Like
- Ideal for beginners and buyers on a budget
- Comes with a built-in speaker
- Equipped with a wide variety of sync options and effects
What We Don’t Like
- Can take a while to learn
If you’re a beginner or on a tight budget but want a functional beat machine that can get the job done without costing you a fortune, the Korg Volca Beats seems like a great entry-level option for you!
What’s great about this analog synthesizer is that it offers up to 16 assignable keys. Although it only has 10 sounds, compared to the huge variety on other machines, the sounds here are quite adjustable and can result in a huge variety of tones.
Of course, this means that the machine may have a slight learning curve, but once you master it, the Volca Beats will be an extremely versatile machine that gives even high-end options a good run for their money!
3. Akai Professional MPC One Sampler Beat Machine
What We Like
- Feature a high resolution multi-touch pad
- Produces a wide range of high quality sounds with a custom sounds library
- Offers multiple connection options
What We Don’t Like
- Premium price tag
If you don’t mind splurging a little more in order to land an immensely powerful beat machine, the MPC One Sampler should be your way to go!
What’s great about this beat machine is that it’s jam-packed with a wide range of high quality sounds and samples that will help you create ground-breaking beats for your music.
The sampler also has a multi-touch display that allows you to control almost every aspect of your beat machine. Moreover, it comes ready with its own software that is compatible with both PC and Mac!
The beat machine comes with multiple connectivity options, including 2 input lines for recording and 2 outputs for headphones as well as CV/Gate for modular control.
4. Native Instruments Maschine Mikro MK3 Beat Controller
What We Like
- Doubles as a physical tool as well as a music editing software in one package
- The pads are large and easy to use
- Aesthetically pleasing design
What We Don’t Like
- Has some compatibility issues with non Native Instruments products
Although Native Instruments are more popular for their exceptional audio software, they make one of the most sought after beat machines.
The best thing about the Maschine Mikro MK3 beat machine is that it combines the unique software element of Native Instruments with its powerful physical performance.
The beat machine has a huge library that contains up to 8 gigabytes worth of samples that you can use to create, customize, and tweak your music!
The pads are remarkably large with a colorful display, which makes them easy to use. The buttons are also touch sensitive to make the whole process easier and more streamlined.
5. Roland Rhythm TR-08 Beat Machine and Composer
What We Like
- Have been used to make studio music for a long time
- Allows you to connect several output sources
- Durable construction
What We Don’t Like
- Has an old looking analog design
Lastly, we have the Roland Rhythm TR-08, which is one of the premium options that can be slightly more expensive than the average beat machine but it comes with enough features to justify the price.
After all, this is the very same analog beat machine that has been used in some of the most popular studio albums as well as live performances.
The machine comes with up to 10 separate outputs for the audio, so you can connect it to a wide range of sources.
It has a professional look that might seem quite outdated, but it’s durable construction and portable built to make it stand the time of time and heavy use!
Things to Keep in Mind While Buying a Beat Machine
While buying a beat machine, there are some essential aspects and key considerations that you need to keep in mind in order to make the most out of your investment. Let’s have a quick look at each one of them:
Type: Analog or Digital
The first thing you need to decide on while buying a beat machine is whether you want an analog or a digital one.
Ideally, analog ones use various iconic sounds that are commonly used in hip hop music and allow you to use knobs and buttons to tweak their tones.
On the flip side, digital sounds work as both hip hop beat producers as well as a recording tool. This means that you can use it to create and loop any sounds you want while making music.
The choice here depends on your personal preference and the kind of sounds you want to play with the machine.
Portability
Another important aspect that you need to consider is the level of the device’s portability. Having a portable device is extremely essential for live and stage performance as well as general convenience.
However, the more portable the device, the fewer the features it may have for the same price range. So, your choice should be based on how much you’re going to travel with the beat machine.
For instance, if you’re using it at a studio or at home only, a less portable but feature-packed option would be a nicer alternative.
Ease of Use and Connection
Hip hop beat and drum machines used to be connected using standard 3.5 mm jacks. However, newer devices are now easier to connect to a computer using a USB connection port.
The more inputs and outputs your beat machine will have, the more device it’ll be able to support.
Make sure that you pick one with a variety of compatible connected devices if you’re also going for a portable option.
Budget
As you’ve probably noticed, beat machines come at a wide array of prices that suit everyone’s budget and can range from under $100 and up to a few thousand bucks!
If you’re a beginner, try to keep your budget anywhere between $100 and $500 because it’ll provide you with all the options and features you’d need for your first-ever beat machine.
Final Thoughts
This wraps it up for today’s guide about the best beat and drum machines that you can find on the market. As you can see, the market offers a decent range of options to choose from, so make sure that you follow the above guide before making your final decision.
If you’re still unsure about the beat machine you want, the Akai Professional MPD226 Controller Beat Machine seems like a good overall option because it offers remarkable quality and performance while coming at a relatively decent price.
However, if you’re a beginner or on a budget and looking for an inexpensive alternative, you might want to consider the Korg Volca Beats 16-Key Synthesizer. This one gives you all the functionality you need as a beginner while coming at a significantly low price!
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